Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dinner conversations
I love when Matt is home, we all eat together and its a great way for us to catch up on the boys day at school. Except last night Drew showed us the middle finger while telling us his friend at school said it means a bad thing. Oh boy! We hadn't even had that conversation with Ethan yet, apparently Drew's class is ahead of the curve@@. So yes, we explained to him that it means a really bad thing and not to ever do it and yada yada. I mean really, Kindergartners KNOW this stuff? But I was thinking about it and I had recently confessed to my Mom that our neighbor made me try a cigarette when I was in the 2nd grade. Yep, 8 years old, Ethan's age and I tried a cigarette. God, I would have a heart attack now if I thought either of my boys did something like that. And thankfully I hated it and never picked up smoking, yuck gross gag!!! (Sorry Dad if you read this and I had not told you about it yet). Its such a bummer that you can't protect them from these things. I didn't want to tell them about the middle finger at 6 and 8 but was left with no choice. And I am telling you, some of these kids at school are rotten, they swear, they bite, out of control. So gone are the days where I can protect them all day long, they are out of my hands 5 days out of the week thrown in with these hooligans and all I can hope is that we have done enough and will keep doing enough for them to turn out like the good little boys we are intending them to be.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Fun weekend
Friday night we played Just Dance 2, 3 and Summer and also Dance Central 2 for 3 hours. It was SO much fun! Matt kept insisting he would win and eventually he did but not before I schooled him a few times. Aaron spent the weekend again, we love getting to see him since we all miss him so much since he moved out.
Saturday night Mary, Johnny and their 3 kids came over for spaghetti and games. We played HeadBandz with all the kids, Dance Central 2 and the boys played some sports games on the Kinect. Such a fun time. We way over ate like we always do when we are together and had lots of laughs. It was so nice to have all the kids together, they are so busy with activities that we don't get to see them nearly enough so it was a great time!
Sunday we lounged. Matt, Brady and I ran out to the store while the big boys stayed home with Aaron. At night we had another round of games. More Headbandz fun and than we played lots of sports games. Matt was not happy that I was the first one to get a hole in one on golf but hey, I can't help it I am so awesome! The boys were playing tennis which Brady decided to join in on. I tried to get video of him dancing, oh it was so cute but I didn't get it in time.
Saturday night Mary, Johnny and their 3 kids came over for spaghetti and games. We played HeadBandz with all the kids, Dance Central 2 and the boys played some sports games on the Kinect. Such a fun time. We way over ate like we always do when we are together and had lots of laughs. It was so nice to have all the kids together, they are so busy with activities that we don't get to see them nearly enough so it was a great time!
Sunday we lounged. Matt, Brady and I ran out to the store while the big boys stayed home with Aaron. At night we had another round of games. More Headbandz fun and than we played lots of sports games. Matt was not happy that I was the first one to get a hole in one on golf but hey, I can't help it I am so awesome! The boys were playing tennis which Brady decided to join in on. I tried to get video of him dancing, oh it was so cute but I didn't get it in time.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Long week
Monday Brady and I met our friends Erin, Campbell and Hudson at the mall first thing to walk. Man, those mall walkers are crazy! We were walking so fast that my thighs were tingling and I was sweating by the end of it. We went to the play area after to let the kids burn off some of their energy as well. My Mom came over for dinner that night and brought Matt a piece of her birthday cake. They both love Datenut cake so he was super excited to have a piece. They boys brought home their report cards, they are both doing fantastic in school, so proud of them!
Tuesday Matt left for Palm Beach. He has been home for a month and we never do well when he leaves after being home for a long time so it was no different this time. Brady was horrible! My angel baby is starting temper tantrums, not fun! He gets so mad so quickly if you tell him no. Hits you, throws things, bites, it is not fun! This time he decided to slam cupboards, until he smashed his fingers in there, ouch! The boys were extra needy at night, just what I need when there is only 1 of me and 3 of them.
Wednesday went a little better minus Brady felling down the stairs, ugh! He was fine but it's like a slow torture when you hear him hitting every step, thud, thunk, oh it's heartbreaking! And it's like slow motion and than he slams into the wall at the bottom, oh it's so horrible! Lots of extra cuddles that day! At night I made Twix Brownies and Cookies N Cream cookies, wowza! Like really, they might be the best cookies ever, they are so tasty! We had a rough night though. Brady was moving around and making noise a lot which keeps me wide awake, up at 4:45 and only fell back to sleep for a little bit, so tired!
Thursday we met my Dad and Grandparents at Olive Garden for lunch, always a nice time. And a couple came over when they were leaving to say what a good boy Brady is. We actually get that a lot and it makes you feel so good. We have always taken the boys to restaurants even when they were babies so they would know how to act and I guess it has paid off because they are such good boys. At night I hosted book club. There are 8 of us and everyone showed up. Lots of food, drinks, laughs and they were here until 12:30, fun girl night that was much needed!
Tuesday Matt left for Palm Beach. He has been home for a month and we never do well when he leaves after being home for a long time so it was no different this time. Brady was horrible! My angel baby is starting temper tantrums, not fun! He gets so mad so quickly if you tell him no. Hits you, throws things, bites, it is not fun! This time he decided to slam cupboards, until he smashed his fingers in there, ouch! The boys were extra needy at night, just what I need when there is only 1 of me and 3 of them.
Wednesday went a little better minus Brady felling down the stairs, ugh! He was fine but it's like a slow torture when you hear him hitting every step, thud, thunk, oh it's heartbreaking! And it's like slow motion and than he slams into the wall at the bottom, oh it's so horrible! Lots of extra cuddles that day! At night I made Twix Brownies and Cookies N Cream cookies, wowza! Like really, they might be the best cookies ever, they are so tasty! We had a rough night though. Brady was moving around and making noise a lot which keeps me wide awake, up at 4:45 and only fell back to sleep for a little bit, so tired!
Thursday we met my Dad and Grandparents at Olive Garden for lunch, always a nice time. And a couple came over when they were leaving to say what a good boy Brady is. We actually get that a lot and it makes you feel so good. We have always taken the boys to restaurants even when they were babies so they would know how to act and I guess it has paid off because they are such good boys. At night I hosted book club. There are 8 of us and everyone showed up. Lots of food, drinks, laughs and they were here until 12:30, fun girl night that was much needed!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Weekend
Aaron asked if Matt and I wanted to go out Friday night and he would watch the kids. Well how do you say no to that? So we went to Ruby Tuesdays after Brady went to bed, so yummy! We had such a nice time.
Saturday the boys had 2 birthday parties to attend. The first was at The Boneyard and included a DJ and magician, they had a fun time. The 2nd party turned out great! It was for a boy from Drew's class. I asked the Mom if we could bring Ethan along and she said no problem. It was at 7:30 - 9:00 so we didn't want to take Brady since he goes to bed early so Aaron stayed home with him. We were skeptical on the timing, seemed late for a kids party. It turned out that it was a glow in the dark party at Romp N Stomp, an inflatables place. So the kids got to wear glow in the dark hairspray, bracelets, got airbrushed tatoos, it was great! And the party was for their Kindergartner but also his 2nd grade sister who just so happens to be in Ethan's class so all the girls from his class were there too so that made it more fun for Ethan since he knew everyone already. I am really glad we left Brady home because it was 9:45 by the time we got home!
Sunday was a super lazy day. The boys played Legos for SIX hours, so fun! They had a whole town set up, they worked so hard. Ethan and I went grocery shopping later in the day. I have book club this week so I wanted to try out the Twix Brownies I plan in making, OMG, delicious! Lisa and Jenna came over to shower since theirs is broke so I got to try them out on them, I think they agreed they passed the test!
Saturday the boys had 2 birthday parties to attend. The first was at The Boneyard and included a DJ and magician, they had a fun time. The 2nd party turned out great! It was for a boy from Drew's class. I asked the Mom if we could bring Ethan along and she said no problem. It was at 7:30 - 9:00 so we didn't want to take Brady since he goes to bed early so Aaron stayed home with him. We were skeptical on the timing, seemed late for a kids party. It turned out that it was a glow in the dark party at Romp N Stomp, an inflatables place. So the kids got to wear glow in the dark hairspray, bracelets, got airbrushed tatoos, it was great! And the party was for their Kindergartner but also his 2nd grade sister who just so happens to be in Ethan's class so all the girls from his class were there too so that made it more fun for Ethan since he knew everyone already. I am really glad we left Brady home because it was 9:45 by the time we got home!
Sunday was a super lazy day. The boys played Legos for SIX hours, so fun! They had a whole town set up, they worked so hard. Ethan and I went grocery shopping later in the day. I have book club this week so I wanted to try out the Twix Brownies I plan in making, OMG, delicious! Lisa and Jenna came over to shower since theirs is broke so I got to try them out on them, I think they agreed they passed the test!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Funny
Last night I was out to dinner with my Mom and Matt texted me. Apparently he was staring at Drew and Drew said is there something on my face? Matt said no. Drew responds with, than stop staring at me dude.
This morning when I dropped them off at school we always kiss and say I love you and Ethan pretends to have a telephone and says bye, call me as he hops out of the van.
I mean really, where do they come up with this stuff? They are like little comedians those two. I always knew having kids would be so much fun but it's even more than I could have ever imagined. I mean really, they have us in hysterics almost every night. Their witty banter, their one liners, I mean their 6 and 8, how do they know how to be so entertaining already? There really isn't anything better than being a Mom and these 3 little ones are so awesome!
This morning when I dropped them off at school we always kiss and say I love you and Ethan pretends to have a telephone and says bye, call me as he hops out of the van.
I mean really, where do they come up with this stuff? They are like little comedians those two. I always knew having kids would be so much fun but it's even more than I could have ever imagined. I mean really, they have us in hysterics almost every night. Their witty banter, their one liners, I mean their 6 and 8, how do they know how to be so entertaining already? There really isn't anything better than being a Mom and these 3 little ones are so awesome!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Pics and more
Brady and Daddy *love*
Ethan is OCD. Not in a horrible way although it can get annoying sometimes because he is always telling me what to do. Hello, I thought I was the Mom?!?!? Today I hadn't shut one of Brady's drawers all the way, it was maybe 1/2 an inch open. He turned right back around and shut that thing immediately. Oh boy, 2 of them the same, great! And its funny because he is the perfect combination of both boys. He loves electronics like Ethan but he is also really into playing basketball right now. I don't know who all remembers this, I know some of my friends do, but Drew had a certain ball that we took EVERYWHERE with us when he was around Brady's age. It lasted a long time. And everything was "basketball shoot it", that's all he would say and whip that ball around. Its so cute to see Brady doing the same thing. He isn't attached to one ball like Drew was but he plays all day long. Its so crazy that he is so like the other two when he wasn't around for any of it, no denying they are related.
This morning the boys taught him nice to meet ya while shaking his hand like crazy. He just thought it was the funniest thing and we have since done it most of the day. He is so fun!
Doctor
I had my follow up doctors appointment and told her I wasn't comfortable with the everyday medicine so she agreed I could have Imitrex, something you take once the migraine starts. My mom takes it and has good luck so I am hoping it will work for me as well.
Brady and I met our friends Erin, Campbell and Hudson at the Brunswick Rec Center yesterday for an Open Gym play. We are members so it was free. The first hour was great, the kids were playing and enjoying themselves. The second hour was spent with me chasing Brady away from the old ladies working out and Erin having to keep Hudson away from these mean kids. These 2 moms sat there chatting completely ignoring their misbehaving boys, so irritating! It was much more enjoyable when they left.
Last night we went back to the camera store to see another model Matt is interested in. Than we had to stop at Target to get a birthday present for one of Drew's classmates.
I am taking my Mom to Shinto for her birthday tonight, I can't wait! Matt and I did sushi last time so I am looking forward to the hibachi. I will have to eat light today so I won't feel guilty for overindulging tonight, because you have to eat a lot while you're there, you just have to!
Brady and I met our friends Erin, Campbell and Hudson at the Brunswick Rec Center yesterday for an Open Gym play. We are members so it was free. The first hour was great, the kids were playing and enjoying themselves. The second hour was spent with me chasing Brady away from the old ladies working out and Erin having to keep Hudson away from these mean kids. These 2 moms sat there chatting completely ignoring their misbehaving boys, so irritating! It was much more enjoyable when they left.
Last night we went back to the camera store to see another model Matt is interested in. Than we had to stop at Target to get a birthday present for one of Drew's classmates.
I am taking my Mom to Shinto for her birthday tonight, I can't wait! Matt and I did sushi last time so I am looking forward to the hibachi. I will have to eat light today so I won't feel guilty for overindulging tonight, because you have to eat a lot while you're there, you just have to!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Whine
I have the case of the blues. I know what my problem is and its a bummer. Matt has to go to Vegas in May for a conference and I want to go too. And I can't. And it stinks. And I know I shouldn't talk about it but its bumming me out so I will anyway. We haven't had a vacation alone since our honeymoon:( It's not like I expect to go on one all the time, or heck even every year. But we are coming up on our 9 year anniversary and nothing, nada, zilch. We have left the kids overnight 4 times, maybe 5 total in over 8 years. And the farthest we have gone is to Cleveland or Akron, yep a whopping 30 minutes away tops. Wow! It hurts even seeing that in writing. I think part of what makes it hard is seeing my friends families surprising them with showing up on their doorstep to whisk their kids away for the night/weekend/day. Or others whose families take vacation time off work so that they themselves can go on a vacation. Heck, someone we know was taking their kids to PA for family to babysit while he took his wife to FL for the weekend. Who does that??? Not us! Other friends of mine have gone to Europe this past year - Europe for Gods sakes - I can barely leave the county! So here I am feeling sorry for myself because I can't go to Vegas for a few days. And I signed up for this, I wanted kids more than anything and I am so so happy. But it doesn't mean it stinks any less. Oh well, sigh, maybe in 16 years when all the kids are out of the house we can vacation together...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Body by Vi Day 6 and 7 and the weekend
Stayed strong and did my shakes even though I knew it would be harder on the weekend. Matt and Ethan went to look at cameras, to Chipotle and some other errands. I stayed home with the younger two and played. After Brady's nap we ran to Costco and Kohl's. Matt got a new Columbia sweatshirt so of course Ethan needed a matching one. That boy LOVES his Dad! I mean they all do but he so wants to do everything that Matt does, its adorable. We also needed a Foreman type grill because we bought all these hamburgers from my Mom and Bud and even though it was a whopping 20 degrees outside, Matt insisted he wouldn't fire up the grill. Wussy:)
On Sunday I finished up the shakes. I am kind of bummed the week is over, they were really good and I felt good all week. I might order them, haven't decided yet. I will see if I can maintain eating breakfast on my own first I guess. Matt and Drew went bowling in the morning since he spent the day before with Ethan. Ethan and I rented a scary movie On Demand - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - not so good but Ethan liked it. I wish scary movies scared me, they just don't! We watched Halloween last week and Ethan was funny mocking the movie, he is so my kid! I love that he doesn't get scared and I can share my love of horror films with him. And before you get all up in arms, it was taped off the TV so no nakedness or anything inappropriate, just pure blooded killing!
Once Matt and Drew got home we all ate lunch and relaxed. It was super cold out so I was more than happy to spend the day at home. Ethan and I painted later in the day working on some more crafts. Matt bought crab legs so we had a nice romantic dinner at home and hung out. We watched The Change Up - funny stuff right there!
Today is MLK so no school for the boys and no work for Matt - love that he gets all these extra holidays off! We ran to Family Video to rent some new games for the kids. Than we went to Target to get a lamp for the office. It is really coming together, I will have to post pictures at some point. They opened a Chick-Fil-A up in Strongsville that the kids have been wanting to try so we stopped there and picked up lunch for them. Matt and I were good and ate at home, we got these yummy chicken sausages from Costco, so good! We watched Water for Elephants - also a good movie. We can never find time to watch movies, by the time the kids go to bed we are so wiped out so we have started watching them while Brady naps and the kids play their games or whatnot. We decided to pick up Dominos Pizza for dinner because the commercials insist it tastes better - meh. It was a nice day we all spent together and I will once again be sad that we all have to go our separate days tomorrow.
On Sunday I finished up the shakes. I am kind of bummed the week is over, they were really good and I felt good all week. I might order them, haven't decided yet. I will see if I can maintain eating breakfast on my own first I guess. Matt and Drew went bowling in the morning since he spent the day before with Ethan. Ethan and I rented a scary movie On Demand - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - not so good but Ethan liked it. I wish scary movies scared me, they just don't! We watched Halloween last week and Ethan was funny mocking the movie, he is so my kid! I love that he doesn't get scared and I can share my love of horror films with him. And before you get all up in arms, it was taped off the TV so no nakedness or anything inappropriate, just pure blooded killing!
Once Matt and Drew got home we all ate lunch and relaxed. It was super cold out so I was more than happy to spend the day at home. Ethan and I painted later in the day working on some more crafts. Matt bought crab legs so we had a nice romantic dinner at home and hung out. We watched The Change Up - funny stuff right there!
Today is MLK so no school for the boys and no work for Matt - love that he gets all these extra holidays off! We ran to Family Video to rent some new games for the kids. Than we went to Target to get a lamp for the office. It is really coming together, I will have to post pictures at some point. They opened a Chick-Fil-A up in Strongsville that the kids have been wanting to try so we stopped there and picked up lunch for them. Matt and I were good and ate at home, we got these yummy chicken sausages from Costco, so good! We watched Water for Elephants - also a good movie. We can never find time to watch movies, by the time the kids go to bed we are so wiped out so we have started watching them while Brady naps and the kids play their games or whatnot. We decided to pick up Dominos Pizza for dinner because the commercials insist it tastes better - meh. It was a nice day we all spent together and I will once again be sad that we all have to go our separate days tomorrow.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Body by Vi Day 5/playgroup/date
Cheesecake shake for breakfast, oh yum! The boys didn't have school so we had a few of our friends and their kids over for a play date, Erin, Stacey and Jamie. It's hard to believe all our little babies will soon be turning 2, boo!!! But it was so fun watching them all play together and it was such a nice day. Jamie and the girls spent the whole day over, it was great catching up and makes me sad that I don't see my friends often enough, time just gets away from us all but I need to make it a point to do better about that.
Jamie brought frozen pizzas over for lunch and I have to say, I was very tempted to eat some but I knew Matt and I were going out at night so I stayed strong and drank a butterscotch shake. And it worked out great because wouldn't you know all the kids finished the 2 pizzas off anyway, piggies!
Lisa watched the boys at night so we could go out. Oh how we needed that, it has been...I don't even know how long but a long time since we went out to dinner alone so it was much needed. We went to Shinto for some sushi, yum!!! We had a lovely night as always and made it home in time to see the big boys off to bed. Thanks again Lisa, we SO appreciate it!!!
Jamie brought frozen pizzas over for lunch and I have to say, I was very tempted to eat some but I knew Matt and I were going out at night so I stayed strong and drank a butterscotch shake. And it worked out great because wouldn't you know all the kids finished the 2 pizzas off anyway, piggies!
Lisa watched the boys at night so we could go out. Oh how we needed that, it has been...I don't even know how long but a long time since we went out to dinner alone so it was much needed. We went to Shinto for some sushi, yum!!! We had a lovely night as always and made it home in time to see the big boys off to bed. Thanks again Lisa, we SO appreciate it!!!
Body by Vi Day 4
Still going strong and its pretty easy. I worked out early since Brady was up at 6:00, sigh. This new schedule is for the birds! Today was chocolate shake for breakfast and banana for lunch, still tasty. We ran out to Beachwood to Lululemon to pick up our pants and than headed over to Trader Joe's for some nice healthy treats.
My brother Mike spent the night since the boys don't have school on Friday. Matt met a friend for dinner but was home by 9:00 so that was a nice surprise. We all watched this show Mobbed, of course I cried. I love flash mobs and am a sap for a good love story. Ahhh, love=)
My brother Mike spent the night since the boys don't have school on Friday. Matt met a friend for dinner but was home by 9:00 so that was a nice surprise. We all watched this show Mobbed, of course I cried. I love flash mobs and am a sap for a good love story. Ahhh, love=)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Some of my favorites
Brady is 18 months old!
How? How? How? How is that even possible? I just had him??? He is getting so big and I hate it! He is still a cuddle monster. And finally getting over his separation anxiety, woohoo! He didn't cry or run to me at all when my dad and brother were over yesterday, in fact he let them pick him right up, say what?!?!? Awesome!
However, he is getting quite the attitude on him and I am not liking that one bit. He is starting to hit and throw a fit if he doesn't get his way, not cool! It's very frustrating and I am going to have to try and nip this in the bud right away. Its hard though, he doesn't understand the concept of time outs, we don't believe in spanking so its going to be trying for a while.
Good thing he is so cute though! His shirt says Future #1 Draft Pick - sweet!
However, he is getting quite the attitude on him and I am not liking that one bit. He is starting to hit and throw a fit if he doesn't get his way, not cool! It's very frustrating and I am going to have to try and nip this in the bud right away. Its hard though, he doesn't understand the concept of time outs, we don't believe in spanking so its going to be trying for a while.
Body by Vi Day 3
Peanut Butter Cup flavor for breakfast, yum!!! Did the orange juilius again for lunch and my mom came over to have one as well, two thumbs up.
My Dad and brother came over for dinner. I made that Ritz cracker chicken again. My dad was a little skeptical I think, kept giving me suggestions on how to make it. I told him you just wait, your going to like it without any changes. And of course I was right, he even called his wife after dinner to tell her all about it because it's so tasty! I also made cauliflower casserole, another delicious treat!
Brady and I ran some errands in the morning. Back to the craft store, have to get started on our Valentine's Day stuff. Made a wreath yesterday but I didn't glue it together yet since its a little early to decorate so pictures will be coming soon on that. We also had to stop at the library and grocery store, nothing too exciting.
My Dad and brother came over for dinner. I made that Ritz cracker chicken again. My dad was a little skeptical I think, kept giving me suggestions on how to make it. I told him you just wait, your going to like it without any changes. And of course I was right, he even called his wife after dinner to tell her all about it because it's so tasty! I also made cauliflower casserole, another delicious treat!
Brady and I ran some errands in the morning. Back to the craft store, have to get started on our Valentine's Day stuff. Made a wreath yesterday but I didn't glue it together yet since its a little early to decorate so pictures will be coming soon on that. We also had to stop at the library and grocery store, nothing too exciting.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Body by Vi Day 2
Last night I made chicken curry apple stir fry for dinner, yum, and healthy! I managed to drink all my water for the day, go me!
This morning I had a butterfinger shake, OMG was it tasty! Usually you try these things and have to choke them down, not these shakes, they are delicious! I had a whole wheat mini bagel for my snack. Lunch was the regular sweet cream based shake mixed into 8 ounces OJ and this time instead of ice I used frozen strawberries, yum again! It really makes it a lot easier when it doesn't taste bad. I also did a 30 minute workout. Matt says not to workout everyday but I think I have to right now because it's too easy for me to take a day off and fall off the wagon completely.
Still feeling good, lots of energy although I hit the wall around 7:30 last night but that could also be because Brady has decided to get up at 6:30 the last few days, too early!!! He has been really good about letting me get my workout in, we go down in the basement and he plays basketball the whole time so that's nice.
Today Drew has book club after school. It's every other Tuesday and he seems to enjoy it although he insists they don't read books, I think he is fibbing. He has decided he wants to take Young Rembrandts with Ethan which starts back up in February. That will be nice, than I don't have to run up to the school twice on Thursdays.
Brady had to go to timeout yesterday for hitting, he was not happy! Neither were his brothers when I told them about it after school. They were so mad at me, Mom he's just a baby, he doesn't know better. I explained to them that's why we do timeout, so he learns he isn't allowed to do those things, they weren't having it.
This morning I had a butterfinger shake, OMG was it tasty! Usually you try these things and have to choke them down, not these shakes, they are delicious! I had a whole wheat mini bagel for my snack. Lunch was the regular sweet cream based shake mixed into 8 ounces OJ and this time instead of ice I used frozen strawberries, yum again! It really makes it a lot easier when it doesn't taste bad. I also did a 30 minute workout. Matt says not to workout everyday but I think I have to right now because it's too easy for me to take a day off and fall off the wagon completely.
Still feeling good, lots of energy although I hit the wall around 7:30 last night but that could also be because Brady has decided to get up at 6:30 the last few days, too early!!! He has been really good about letting me get my workout in, we go down in the basement and he plays basketball the whole time so that's nice.
Today Drew has book club after school. It's every other Tuesday and he seems to enjoy it although he insists they don't read books, I think he is fibbing. He has decided he wants to take Young Rembrandts with Ethan which starts back up in February. That will be nice, than I don't have to run up to the school twice on Thursdays.
Brady had to go to timeout yesterday for hitting, he was not happy! Neither were his brothers when I told them about it after school. They were so mad at me, Mom he's just a baby, he doesn't know better. I explained to them that's why we do timeout, so he learns he isn't allowed to do those things, they weren't having it.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Body by Vi Day 1
I agreed to do a 1 week challenge. What it is, I will drink 2 shakes a day and I can have (1) 200 calorie snack or (2) 100 calories snacks and than 1 meal per day. I am choosing to do shakes for breakfast and lunch so I can eat dinner with the family. I had to take measurements of my body and weigh myself and than I let the girl know the results after 1 week. She sent me all the products so its pretty simple. Today is day 1 and so far so good. I choose hot cocoa flavored for this morning so I added the packet to 10 oz. warm skim milk and it was really good. I had a granola bar for a snack. And for lunch I mixed the regular sweet cream mix into 8 oz. of OJ and blended with ice, tastes like an orange julius, really yummy! So I can have another snack in a few hours and than whatever I want for dinner. I feel really good so far, I know its only day 1 but I have more energy than I normally feel like and I also worked out for 40 minutes. I don't need to lose weight really, although I wouldn't mind a few pounds but its only for a week so I figured what the heck. It actually might be more than I normally eat since I don't eat breakfast or snacks but I figure since its healthier calories it might be the jump start I need to get myself on track. I also upped my water intake by a lot considering I only have a glass of water with lunch and dinner. I know, bad bad Christine but its hard! So its a new year and time for some healthy changes, wish me luck!
Picture
Weekend Fun
Friday night Aiden and his sister Bailey came over to play. Aaron came over for the weekend and Matt and I finished upholstering all the kitchen chairs. Yeah! Saturday we got up early and headed to Beachwood to the LuLuLemon store. Have you been? It's really nice, high end workout and regular clothes. We had bought each other some stuff for Christmas and they hem it for free so we had to get fitted. Afterwards we went to visit Grandpa John & Holly. The boys played some Wii games while the rest of us watched. Brady even gave hugs to both of them while leaving, yeah!!! He really is starting to get over his separation anxiety which is so nice because we don't have to convince everyone he really is a good baby.
After naps me, Matt, Ethan and Brady did some shopping, Drew stayed home with Uncle Aaron. I needed some tennis shoes so I could start working out and Ethan needed some also because his feet grew, again. Matt does not like shoe shopping with us he quickly learned. It's hard though, I hate tennis shoes. I don't like the way they look, except black and Matt wanted me to get some with color. So I did, they are black and grey Sketchers and I really like them. But of course I only tried one shoe on because I had tried on 15 pairs by than and Matt was getting tired of watching me. So when we got home go figure the other shoe had something wrong with it!!! And we didn't find anything for Ethan after he tried on numerous pairs either. We also made a stop at Bed Bath & Beyond for a scale. I agreed to do a 1 week challenge doing Body by Vi so I needed to weigh myself before I started, more about that later.
Sunday we woke up and went back to the mall to exchange my funky shoes. We stopped at Champ's where Ethan found a pair of shoes, yeah for success! We went to Olive Garden for lunch afterwards, yum! Came home for naps, relaxed, watched some football and than the neighbors invited us over for dinner and the boys over to play so that is how we spent the rest of our day/night.
Brady loves, loves, loves his Uncle Aaron. Aaron was eating his dinner on the couch so Brady took his to join him.
Watching some Star Wars videos together.
After naps me, Matt, Ethan and Brady did some shopping, Drew stayed home with Uncle Aaron. I needed some tennis shoes so I could start working out and Ethan needed some also because his feet grew, again. Matt does not like shoe shopping with us he quickly learned. It's hard though, I hate tennis shoes. I don't like the way they look, except black and Matt wanted me to get some with color. So I did, they are black and grey Sketchers and I really like them. But of course I only tried one shoe on because I had tried on 15 pairs by than and Matt was getting tired of watching me. So when we got home go figure the other shoe had something wrong with it!!! And we didn't find anything for Ethan after he tried on numerous pairs either. We also made a stop at Bed Bath & Beyond for a scale. I agreed to do a 1 week challenge doing Body by Vi so I needed to weigh myself before I started, more about that later.
Sunday we woke up and went back to the mall to exchange my funky shoes. We stopped at Champ's where Ethan found a pair of shoes, yeah for success! We went to Olive Garden for lunch afterwards, yum! Came home for naps, relaxed, watched some football and than the neighbors invited us over for dinner and the boys over to play so that is how we spent the rest of our day/night.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Chairs, Door and Such
We all survived the first day back to school. I did forget to make Drew do his homework before bed but we had plenty of time in the morning so it got done, whew! See, it's hard being back into the routine. And I like to leave at 9:00 every day, this morning it was 9:04 and yesterday was 9:02. School doesn't start until 9:15 and its literally 2 minutes away but I hate feeling rushed so the goal is 9:00. Oh well, there is always tomorrow! And Ethan forgot his tennis shoes at school. Maybe this isn't going so well after all...
Yesterdays crafts included...
I am loving this one. I like having wreaths on the front door but when there isn't a holiday in sight the door is plain so I found this on Pinterest. All you do is take a picture frame than wrap 2 different colors of yarn around it, I choose blue and brown and than I painted the "B" brown and you wrap it in and hang. Cute!
And we bought some new fabric to reupholster the chairs. After 5 years and 3 kids they were looking a little shabby, or gross is another word I would use! So we found some great fabric and a 40% off coupon, score!
Old fabric on the left, new FUN fabric on the right! Isn't it awesome? It's a shared project with Matt & I. He takes the staples out, I cut the fabric to fit and than he staples the new stuff on. I guess he doesn't trust me with power tools although I should mention that he shot a staple out in the middle of the room accidentally yesterday, luckily it didn't hit any of us!
Speaking of my darling husband I also forgot to mention his little mistake last week. After painting the trim in the bathroom he called me in to take a look. As we stood in there admiring his work Brady wandered into the office. Apparently Matt didn't put the lid on the paint because the next thing you know I turn around and that little stinker was painting the office carpet white. Whoops! Luckily it came out pretty easily and Matt knows to not leave paint unattended (right baby???) No harm no foul, part of having kids.
We always go to bed watching the Food Network channel, which is a bad idea I might add. We sit there licking our lips wanting to try everything they make. Last night it was apple pies. So this morning Brady and I went to the store to buy the ingredients and right now it just finished baking and the house is smelling oh so delicious, can't wait to eat it tonight!
And no Grandma, I did not make the crust! But Pillsbury makes ready to bake crusts so really, why make more work for myself if I would use their recipe anyway? So it's a semi home made apple pie, but I bet its still delicious! And I even bought vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, the boys will be so excited when they see this!
Yesterdays crafts included...
And we bought some new fabric to reupholster the chairs. After 5 years and 3 kids they were looking a little shabby, or gross is another word I would use! So we found some great fabric and a 40% off coupon, score!
Speaking of my darling husband I also forgot to mention his little mistake last week. After painting the trim in the bathroom he called me in to take a look. As we stood in there admiring his work Brady wandered into the office. Apparently Matt didn't put the lid on the paint because the next thing you know I turn around and that little stinker was painting the office carpet white. Whoops! Luckily it came out pretty easily and Matt knows to not leave paint unattended (right baby???) No harm no foul, part of having kids.
We always go to bed watching the Food Network channel, which is a bad idea I might add. We sit there licking our lips wanting to try everything they make. Last night it was apple pies. So this morning Brady and I went to the store to buy the ingredients and right now it just finished baking and the house is smelling oh so delicious, can't wait to eat it tonight!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Back to School
Sniff, sniff, winter break is over:( Some (most?) parents are excited for their kids to go back to school, not me. I love having everyone home where I know they are safe and we can enjoy lots of time together. We had a nice break, didn't do much of anything except lots of family time, just like we wanted. I used to run the boys all over town, The Jump Yard, Amazone, Chuck E Cheese, here there and everywhere. Since having Brady it is harder because he naps midday and by the time everyone wakes up and eats and is ready to go it doesn't leave much time to get out of the house. But ya know what, no one cares! They don't mind staying home, we craft, play games, watch movies, just spend time together and there isn't much better than that. So I am sad those days are over and now it's back to routines and bedtimes and homework and packing lunches and rush rush out the door every morning. I can't wait for Spring Break!
The last few days have been spent shopping, eating out and crafting. Yep, more Pinterest fun for me that means!
Cute hand soap, easiest one yet. Bath and Body Works soap, took off the label and found a "B" gemstone from Hobby Lobby. And I also found how to make foam soap on Pinterest so we can reuse forever, woohoo!
I had a few ideas on this one and than remembered I already had a canvas here so I went that route. Bought some wooden letters, traced them on the canvas and than hand painted them on. The numbers are just stickers.
Today is my brother Mike's 25th Birthday - Happy Birthday Mike!!! After dropping the boys off at school Brady and I picked Mike up and took him out to breakfast. After we stopped at Pat Catan's where soon there will be more crafts to show. I was never the crafty type, I can't even sew a button on (I make a pile for Gram C.) but I am really having so much fun with all of this. Everyone should have a hobby, really they should! I am glad I found something that I like to do, it passes the time and our house is slowly coming together and not so boring looking anymore.
The last few days have been spent shopping, eating out and crafting. Yep, more Pinterest fun for me that means!
Today is my brother Mike's 25th Birthday - Happy Birthday Mike!!! After dropping the boys off at school Brady and I picked Mike up and took him out to breakfast. After we stopped at Pat Catan's where soon there will be more crafts to show. I was never the crafty type, I can't even sew a button on (I make a pile for Gram C.) but I am really having so much fun with all of this. Everyone should have a hobby, really they should! I am glad I found something that I like to do, it passes the time and our house is slowly coming together and not so boring looking anymore.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Years Eve
These are out of order but it doesn't matter much. Anyway, last night we had our friends Andy & Beki and their 3 kids and also Stephen & Tiffany and their son Dylan over. We normally go to my Mary & Johnny's (SIL/BIL) but since Brady goes to bed so early we decided staying home made more sense this year. We decided on a Mexican theme, yum! Beki made guacamole, chicken fajitas and margaritas. I made tacos, corn and tomato salsa and bought Sangria. Tiffany makes delicious chocolate treats so she brought chocolate covered pretzels and nuts. We ate SO much food and it was so worth it. Everything was so yummy! The kids played in the basement and were all so well behaved, not once did we have to say a word to any of them. The adults all hung out upstairs and ate, drank and chatted. It was a nice night and everyone was gone by 9:00, hey we have kids darn it! We let the boys stay up until 10:00 and we went outside and shot off their poppers that Papa Bud got them for Christmas, they loved that! Than we were all sound asleep well before midnight as usual. I did hear fireworks going off a little after midnight so I woke Matt up, gave him a quick kiss and passed right back out. He woke up with Brady this morning and I slept in until 8:30 and than I made a nice big Sunday breakfast which is our usual weekend ritual. Eggs, toast, pancakes, hashed browns and turkey bacon. Great way to start the day! And the best part of it all, Matt has the day off tomorrow so we are looking forward to spending the day with him.
Happy New Year
This is the time where you reflect on last year, what you did and didn't accomplish and how you want to improve on all aspects of your life. Every year I think hard on what I want to do, how can I change, how can I be better and what matters most. Each year I always go back to the same thoughts. Eat healthier (duh), exercise more (or at all!), be a better person (who doesn't want to do that?) give back (always) and be happy (I got that one right!)
It's hard to go through a whole year and keep all those things at the front of your thoughts. I mean some are easy, you don't have to work that hard to be happy, at least I don't. I have a great husband, awesome kids, it's hard not to be happy around here. And giving back whether that means to family, friends, community, people in general - we always do that, donate things we don't need anymore, adopt a family at Christmas, make meals for those in need. Eating healthy, not always an easy thing but I will work on it, incorporate more fruits and veggies, cook healthier. Exercise, oh boy, that's a tough one. I don't enjoy it, I just don't. And it's hard because I watch Matt get up 5 - 6 days a week, well I don't watch him I more smack him once the alarm goes off and roll back over to sleep but I know he does it and enjoys it. And than he drinks his protein shake, doesn't eat fast food and is really disciplined with the whole thing. Than there is me. I will work out (and I use that term loosely) for 3 days and than I am bored. I know I need to tough it out and will be happy once I see results but I just haven't gotten there yet. But that's the nice part about the New Year right? You can start over and if you fail, you can start over anytime you want, it doesn't have to be January 1st to want to make improvements in your life.
So that leaves me with be a better person. Matt has always told me that I know right and wrong more than anyone he has ever met. The problem with that, I feel the need to tell everyone when they are wrong. And I do. I just can't help it! It's hard for me to let things go as I am sure some of you have experienced a time or two (or twenty). And it's hard for me not to speak my mind when people make me angry/sad/irritated/fill in the blank with whatever emotion I am feeling. But I know it's not always a good thing, a fault of mine that I need to work on. I think a lot of why I do this is protection mode. I feel the need to protect myself, Matt and the boys. Oh, and I don't like nonsense, that's another reason. But I can't fix the world, I am not a superhero and it isn't my job. But I can fix how I choose to deal with problems. So maybe this year I bite my tongue more? Or choose my words more wisely? Or shut my family off from the rest of the world? Or just realize that I can only change my reaction to people and can't change their actions?
We all need to improve, but its a choice one must make. Are YOU going to choose it? I hope you do!
It's hard to go through a whole year and keep all those things at the front of your thoughts. I mean some are easy, you don't have to work that hard to be happy, at least I don't. I have a great husband, awesome kids, it's hard not to be happy around here. And giving back whether that means to family, friends, community, people in general - we always do that, donate things we don't need anymore, adopt a family at Christmas, make meals for those in need. Eating healthy, not always an easy thing but I will work on it, incorporate more fruits and veggies, cook healthier. Exercise, oh boy, that's a tough one. I don't enjoy it, I just don't. And it's hard because I watch Matt get up 5 - 6 days a week, well I don't watch him I more smack him once the alarm goes off and roll back over to sleep but I know he does it and enjoys it. And than he drinks his protein shake, doesn't eat fast food and is really disciplined with the whole thing. Than there is me. I will work out (and I use that term loosely) for 3 days and than I am bored. I know I need to tough it out and will be happy once I see results but I just haven't gotten there yet. But that's the nice part about the New Year right? You can start over and if you fail, you can start over anytime you want, it doesn't have to be January 1st to want to make improvements in your life.
So that leaves me with be a better person. Matt has always told me that I know right and wrong more than anyone he has ever met. The problem with that, I feel the need to tell everyone when they are wrong. And I do. I just can't help it! It's hard for me to let things go as I am sure some of you have experienced a time or two (or twenty). And it's hard for me not to speak my mind when people make me angry/sad/irritated/fill in the blank with whatever emotion I am feeling. But I know it's not always a good thing, a fault of mine that I need to work on. I think a lot of why I do this is protection mode. I feel the need to protect myself, Matt and the boys. Oh, and I don't like nonsense, that's another reason. But I can't fix the world, I am not a superhero and it isn't my job. But I can fix how I choose to deal with problems. So maybe this year I bite my tongue more? Or choose my words more wisely? Or shut my family off from the rest of the world? Or just realize that I can only change my reaction to people and can't change their actions?
We all need to improve, but its a choice one must make. Are YOU going to choose it? I hope you do!
Brotherly love
I just have to share these 2 pictures. Brady loves loves loves his brothers and the feeling is mutual. This is his new thing, hugging them over and over and we finally captured a picture.
Seriously, don't you want to eat them up? Me too!
Bathroom Renovations
Ok, so now I can post the pictures of the updated bathroom. This has been a work in progress for a few months. We have gone back and forth on if we should just update the shower or if we needed to redo the whole thing. Once the shower was done it just didn't seem right so we decided to update the rest of it. So we bought all new hardware, paint, fixtures, sink, cupboard and mirror. I am really happy with how it all turned out.
Here is the old tile, yuck! Our house is from 1977 or something like that, clearly this was still the original tile and needed to go.
Here is the old color on the walls, green. And the old white cabinet. There was also a white medicine cabinet and a hideous light fixture made out of gold, oh boy! Unfortunately (or fortunately) I didn't get a picture before Matt ripped it out.
Wowza! Isn't it awesome? I mean, what a difference! My Dad did most of the tile work (thanks again Dad!) and Matt finished it up. I really love how it turned out, fancy schmancy!
Nice! Now it's painted latte, nice neutral color, the new mirror and cabinet and hey look, there's my picture!
So you can see the rest of the cabinet, don't mind the toilet it's a small bathroom.
It's just SO nice! Love the whole thing. Matt and my Dad did such a nice job!
It's just SO nice! Love the whole thing. Matt and my Dad did such a nice job!
Pinterest Crafts
This post was supposed to be about the updated bathroom but I want to show the picture I made which than made me want to go back to the last couple months and show you all the fun stuff I have found on Pinterest and made. So here it goes.
This is what started it all. A cute little ghost and pumpkin made from used wine bottles. You just prime than spray paint and draw faces. Super cute!
A witches hat snack that I took in for the kids Halloween parties. A fudge stripe cookie turned upside down and than add a hershey kiss and some orange frosting. Easy peasy!
Wine bottles that spelled out Thanks on one side and Giving on the other. Again, primer, spray paint and than I bought some cardboard letters, painted and glued them on.
Turkey cookies that I took in for Ethan's birthday since it's so close to Thanksgiving. Sugar cookie, candy corn, chocolate chips and frosting. Super cute!
Red candles, double sided tape and glitter. Some striped candles for Christmas decor.
More wine bottles, no we don't have a problem;) Primer, spray paint and some fun inserts from Pat Catan's.
Teacher gifts, personalized hand sanitizers, perfect for elementary school teachers. Take off the labels, asked the teachers their favorite colors and added some cute stickers.
Snowmen snacks that I took in for the kids Christmas Parties at school. Powdered donuts, upside down mini chocolate chips, candy corn and gel.
Used to be the centerpiece for Christmas, now can be a centerpiece anytime. Put some yarn around a vase, spray paint and remove, just a fun little design. There is another one still drying.
Buy a canvas. Put some tape on in any design you wish. Spray paint and remove the tape. You have wall art!
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